Comprehensive guide to hair graft extraction and implantation techniques.
Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide. Androgenetic alopecia also called as male pattern baldness affects 50% of men by the age of 50, leading to loss of confidence and self esteem. Hair transplant procedure offers a great way to restore lost hair with no downtime. Its ultimate outcome depends on the surgeon’s skill along with the technique used to extract and implant the delicate hair grafts.
In this blog, we will explore modern hair transplant techniques
Summary
- Understanding hair grafts: Single vs multiple hair grafts and their importance.
- Graft extraction techniques
- Importance of graft preservation and handling
- Artistry designing the outcome: Modern hair graft implantation techniques
- How to choose the right hair transplant technique for you.
Understanding hair grafts: Single vs multiple hair grafts and their importance
The core of a hair transplant is the follicular unit graft.Each graft is a bundle of one to five hairs surrounded by a small piece of skin
- Single hair grafts – have one hair and are placed along the hairline to create a soft,natural looking hairline.
- Multiple hair grafts – have two,three or four hairs and are placed behind the hairline to give good density and fullness in the midscalp and crown.
These grafts are very delicate and very prone to transection and drying out. Proper extraction and storage is very critical to improve their survival rate and to achieve a great outcome after surgery.
Graft Extraction Techniques
There are two different extraction techniques : FUT & FUE
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Also known as strip method,in this procedure a strip of scalp is surgically removed from the donor area(back of the head). This strip is dissected under a microscope into thousands of individual follicular grafts.
Advantages
- More number of grafts can be procured in a single session
- Recommended for cases requiring large number of grafts
Disadvantages
- Longer Recovery time – takes almost a week
- Painful and have to be on painkillers for 3 to 5 days
- Leaves a linear scar on the donor site(back of the head)
FUT Strip method of hair transplant is not preferred by most of the surgeons because it leaves a big linear scar on the back of the head. It is only preferred in cases where large number of grafts are needed in a single session like in high grade baldness cases.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
This is the most widely used methods these days where individual follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area using a small,circular punch tool.Here no strip is taken out nor there are any stitches or any linear scar.
Here motorized punches are used which are faster.
Lately Robotic systems (ARTAS) is used which makes the procedure highly accurate and fast.
Advantages
- No Linear scar, only tiny dot like marks which heal very fast
- Fastest Recovery, near zero down time.
Disadvantages
- Time consuming for large number of grafts, requiring large sessions
- Requires highly skilled surgeon mastered in punch instrument to minimize graft damage
Importance of graft preservation and handling
Hair grafts, once outside the body and very fragile and vulnerable to environmental damage like desiccation, metabolic injuries, trauma due to handling and so on and so forth. Hair transplant clinics use advanced protocols to protect these fragile grafts to improve their survival and growth.
- Storage solutions like saline,hypothermosol or ATP based solutions keep grafts well hydrated and viable
- Temperature control environment in the range of 2-4 degrees slows down their metabolic activity, prolonging survival
Proper hydration and temperature control are of utmost importance to a successful hair transplant that results in a good graft growth giving natural results.
Artistry designing the outcome: Modern hair graft implantation techniques
Graft implantation in bald areas is an art which once mastered gives great natural outcomes.
There are 3 kinds of grafts implantation techniques.
- Slit implantation
Traditional and most widely used method where the surgeon creates fine tiny incisions(slits) with a blade or needle in the recipient area. Hair grafts are then carefully placed in these premade slits(incisions) using forceps.
- Implanter pen technique
Here, an implanter pen is used to create incision and place the graft in a single motion. This ensures minimal handling of the graft, increasing its survival rate resulting in good growth.
- Stick and place technique
Here, the surgeon makes one incision and immediately places the graft with forceps in that incision before moving to the next. This technique is used in areas where hair density is lost where grafts are placed in between few existing hairs.
How to choose the right hair transplant technique for you.
Selecting the right transplant technique depends on multiple factors:
- Hair loss pattern – Extensive baldness needing more number of grafts favor FUT technique.FUE technique is ideal for moderate baldness of lower grades.
- Patients who have tendency for keloid formation or patients who don’t want a scar should opt for FUE technique.
- Downtime – Patients who want to resume work at the earliest or those who want no downtime,FUE technique is ideal for them
Decision has to be made after a consultation with your hair transplant surgeon who evaluates your scalp,assesses your needs and accordingly recommends the most suitable method.
Ultimately the best outcomes are achieved when an experienced hair transplant surgeon chooses the right technique for you.
At Visage Aesthetic Clinic,we have performed many successful hair restorations,delivering great results.